Our Mission
We are a center for experiential education, rooted in the Gospels, encouraging the transformation of human consciousness through contemplation, and equipping people to be instruments of peaceful change in the world.
Loving Our Unique Place on the Planet
“The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope.”
~ Wendell Berry
Some of the ways in which the CAC strives to live more lightly on Earth:
- Reducing, Reusing, Recycling:
- We continually evaluate our use of resources (such as energy, water, and paper) and seek to minimize our usage and find greater simplicity. For example, much of our landscaping includes drought tolerant plants, requiring less water; low flow toilets have replaced many of our older ones; incandescent bulbs are replaced with DFBs; before winter we weatherize buildings; electronic mailings are replacing many of our paper versions; most recordings are now available as MP3 which requires no packaging.
- When possible, we reuse materials (like recycled paper or things in good condition from second-hand stores), and when something has come to the end of its usefulness in one form, we recycle (or compost—kitchen scraps, shredded paper, yard “waste”).
- Localizing:
- To reduce the carbon footprint incurred by transportation, we use the resources on our doorstep: solar power heats water in one of our buildings; water from the Rio Grande irrigates our lawns and replenishes the aquifer; water from our roofs nourishes garden beds; food from local, organic farmers blesses our tables.
- We choose local vendors as often as possible and are reducing our own travel, relying more and more on online venues.
- Lowering Emissions:
- Beginning in 2013, Fr. Richard will discontinue extensive travel and begin teaching primarily from Albuquerque, NM via online technology.
- Event attendees have the option to make a donation to the organization of their choice to offset their carbon emissions for travel to a CAC conference.
- Staff members are encourages to bike, carpool or take public transportation to work.
- Being Fair:
- We purchase fair-trade, organic products, pay our staff members and contract workers a fair wage, and ask our vendors to do the same.
Join us in caring for Earth!
If you'd like to support Sustainability initiatives at the CAC through volunteer labor, donations, materials or consultation, please be in touch with Joelle Chase: jchase@cacradicalgrace.org or 505-242-9588 x120
· Localizing:
